Metaleptea brevicornis
(Johannson, 1763)
clipped-wing grasshopper, clipped-winged grasshopper
Metaleptea brevicornis, the clipped- , is a of short-horned grasshopper in the . It is the type species of the Metaleptea, which was erected in 1893 to accommodate American species previously placed in Truxalis. The species was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1763 as Gryllus brevicornis. It inhabits wetland environments across eastern North America and is distinguished by its characteristic wing .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Metaleptea brevicornis: //ˌmɛtəˈlɛptiə ˌbrɛvɪˈkɔrnɪs//
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Identification
The can be distinguished from its former Metaleptea adspersa (now treated as a separate species) and other similar by its association with wetland . The specific epithet 'brevicornis' refers to short or horns, a trait that may aid in identification. The clipped- grasshopper belongs to the tribe Hyalopterygini, which is characterized by certain patterns, though specific diagnostic features for M. brevicornis require examination of morphological details.
Images
Habitat
Found in wetlands across eastern North America, including marshy areas, wet meadows, and other humid environments associated with standing or slow-moving water.
Distribution
Eastern North America, ranging from the Great Lakes region south to Florida and west to Mexico. Distribution records include Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Rica, and Guatemala.
Similar Taxa
- Metaleptea adspersaFormerly treated as a M. b. adspersa, now recognized as a separate based on morphological and distributional differences
- Truxalis speciesHistorical confusion; Metaleptea was erected to separate American from this Old World
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described by Linnaeus in 1763 as Gryllus brevicornis. The Metaleptea was established by Brunner von Wattenwyl in 1893, and M. brevicornis was designated as type by Giglio-Tos in 1897. For some time, the genus contained only this species with two , but M. b. adspersa has been elevated to species rank.
Etymology
The 'clipped- ' likely refers to a characteristic wing appearance, though the exact morphological basis for this name is not detailed in available sources.